HC Deb 19 December 1985 vol 89 cc560-1
12. Mr. Knox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the Government's attitude towards the milk co-responsibility levy.

Mr. Gummer

Funds raised by the co-responsibility levy make an important contribution to the cost of supporting the milk sector, particularly to the cost of disposal of the milk surplus.

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend think there is any prospect of getting rid of this levy in the forthcoming negotiations, as it has achieved little or nothing, and has merely added to the cost of British dairy farming?

Mr. Gummer

It is clearly important that this is taken into account in discussing the price of milk. I understand my hon. Friend's concern, because what started as a levy to do something totally different has now been overtaken by the quota system.